Renfro Valley Entertainers
Ralph Marcum
His interest in Kentucky history and the Pioneering way of life, all of which he shared with Renfro Valley founder John Lair, brought Ralph Marcum to the Valley for the first time in the early ‘60s. At this meeting, John mentioned that it was a shame Ralph couldn’t play the fiddle as he might have a regular place on the show for him. Just a casual remark maybe, from a man that favored fiddle music, but it did not go unnoticed by young Marcum. Just one year later, Ralph showed up with fiddle in one hand, bow in the other, and a couple of fiddle tunes under his belt ready to take him up on the offer. In fact, he played well enough to make the job last for the next twenty-five years.
Ralph has come and gone from the Barn Dance stage more than once since then. We pretty well know what to expect when he scurries out to the center stage when introduced, but it’s his time away from the Valley that keeps us guessing. He may be leading a canoeing party down the Rockcastle River, participating in a long range shooting match in Virginia City, Montana, or collecting for his authentic western town he built during his longest time away from the Valley a few years ago. Mayor, Sheriff and Judge Marcum is the only permanent resident of “Hooten Old Town,” standing like a page from Tru Western come to life in neighboring Jackson County. Your visit to Renfro Valley won’t be complete until you’ve had the chance to meet a most interesting Ralph.
